Jump to full article: AP, 2007-03-16
Author: Associated Press
Intro: Robertson is the same senator who, at the request of Gov. Haley Barbour, killed a proposal to increase cigarette taxes and lower the rates on groceries.
"Is it not risky in these uncertain times to give a sales tax cut?" Nunnelee asked. "So we'll give a tax cut to boxers and horses and cows and hogs?"
The statement was an obvious slap at Robertson and Barbour.
The Republican governor has said repeatedly the state's recovery from Hurricane Katrina is still too uncertain to allow a change in the state's tax structure. Barbour, a former Washington lobbyist for tobacco companies, also has said he's against raising anybody's taxes, even on cigarettes.
Barbour spokesman Pete Smith said the governor would decide whether to sign or veto the livestock and athletic event bill once he receives it.
Barbour and Robertson have been criticized by some lawmakers and special interest groups for their stance on the so-called grocery/cigarette "tax swap," which would have increased the cigarette tax to $1 a pack and cut the 7 percent grocery tax in half.
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